As Max Verstappen prepares for his debut in 24-hour endurance racing at the Nürburgring next month, FIA safety car driver Bernd Mayländer has shared important advice for the Dutchman on how to approach one of the most demanding races in motorsport.
Mayländer, who recently celebrated his 500th Grand Prix as official FIA safety car driver in Formula 1, was himself a highly experienced GT3 racer before taking on his current role. The highlight of his racing career came in 2000, when he won the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Although Verstappen has already raced — and won — at the “Green Hell,” he has never yet competed in a full 24-hour endurance event. The race is scheduled for the weekend of 16–17 May, falling between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix. Because of this, safety car driver Mayländer, speaking to racingnews365, offered the Red Bull driver key advice on how to master the full 20.832 km Nordschleife layout.
“I follow everything he does at the Nürburgring. It’s fantastic that a Formula 1 world champion is taking part in the 24-hour race. It’s good for the sport, for the fans, and for the championship,” Mayländer said. “I have tried to win that race seven times. On two occasions I came very close, and once I went off the track while we were leading. Only in 2000 did everything go right.”
According to the German driver, success at the “Ring” is not just about raw talent, but also discipline and race intelligence. “My most important advice? In 2000 we had the perfect team and the perfect car, but during every briefing the message was always the same: the drivers must work with the team. If you know the car is good and the pace is there, think about the chequered flag. Don’t take too many risks.”
The Nürburgring is known for its unpredictability — from sudden rain showers affecting only one section of the circuit to the infamous “Code 60” zones. Mayländer warned Verstappen about every aspect of the challenge:
“You always need a bit of luck with the rules and Code 60 situations, otherwise you can pick up a penalty. But the most important thing is staying on track. Traffic is the biggest lesson I had to learn. You must not push too hard in traffic. Over the last 30 years we have seen that even the fastest cars do not win if they take too many risks.”
“In 2000 we had a driver in the team who took a lot of risks. We really had to slow him down and say: ‘Hey, be safe.’ We are on pole, but you don’t need to be first after the first corner. The race is incredibly long. If you are not leading after lap one, you might be leading after lap 50. That opportunity is always there, as long as you keep the car in one piece.”
Verstappen’s previous appearances at the Nürburgring have attracted huge attention, both trackside and online via live streams. For this reason, Mayländer concluded by warning the four-time world champion about the pressure he may face:
“The spotlight will be on him, and maybe only on him,” he said. “He is putting that pressure on himself with everything he has already achieved there, and that is great, but a 24-hour race is very, very long. There are many very fast GT drivers there. I won’t name names, but some of them have been racing there their entire lives. I hope I will be there in four weeks to see what happens. It will be fantastic.”
Before the 24-hour race, Verstappen’s next appearance will be in qualifying at the Nordschleife this weekend, taking place from 18–19 April.
This upcoming debut for Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring 24 Hours represents a significant crossover moment between F1 and endurance racing. By following the disciplined approach advised by Bernd Mayländer, Verstappen aims to add another prestigious trophy to his collection, proving that his legendary speed can be matched by the endurance required to conquer the Nordschleife.
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